More of New Zealand’s premium salmon is flying to markets around the world, reflecting a growing international appetite.
Export volumes through AKL have steadily increased with an average annual growth rate of 10 percent since 2017 (year ending September 2025). In the last year, there was 5,251 tonnes of New Zealand salmon air freighted to international markets via Auckland Airport, up four percent year on year (year ending September 2025).
Auckland Airport’s Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said two-thirds of air freighted salmon via AKL was sent to the United States over the last year, New Zealand’s largest salmon export market (3,445 tonnes). This is followed by China, Australia, Japan and Canada.
“We’re seeing strong demand for high-quality seafood around the world. Thanks to the speed and reach of air freight, New Zealand’s salmon is arriving fresher than ever, going from our regions to restaurant tables in overseas markets,” he said.
In the United States, New Zealand salmon is mainly sold through high-end retail supermarkets, restaurants and speciality seafood distributors, with the largest markets being California, Washington and Oregon on the West Coast, which have a strong seafood culture and distribution hubs. New York, Boston, Chicago and Miami are also key markets for premium seafood.
The common factor across all these locations is the connectivity, speed and efficiency of air cargo for getting a time-sensitive premium product to market in the best possible condition. We have up to seven airlines flying direct to seven North American destinations. It’s that reliable, high-frequency connectivity that provides the bellyhold cargo space for high-value New Zealand exports.”
Over the past year, AKL handled 80 percent of New Zealand’s air freighted salmon exports, predominantly farmed in the South Island before being flown to global markets.
This was more than $140 million worth of salmon flying out of AKL over the past 12 months, up 14 percent year on year as at September 2025.
“The recent growth in salmon exports speaks to the important role aviation plays in linking domestic producers to the rest of the globe. A daily wide body passenger aircraft across a year can carry around NZD 500 million in high-value freight.”
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